IAN THOMAS - The Runner (1981)

Canadian musician and composer, Thomas has recorded several albums in the 70's and 80's.
His best disc in my opinion, is posted HERE

This one, 'The Runner', is the first of his 80's style albums, and it's great too; Adult Contemporary Music, Westcoast and with AOR hints, Thomas has a unique style, lush & melodic.
Just check in example the track "Freefall In Stardust"; that is Ian style. Distinctive...
Call me nuts, but his work reminds me a laidback Van Stephenson...

Certified gold, "The Runner" spawned 3 singles which had lengthy stays on radio's playlists. All 3 were covered by other groups as well: Mannfred Mann re-did the title track, while Santana gained critical success with "Hold On", as did Chicago with their cover of "Chains".

This is a seriously quality album, solid and organic, after a repeated listens you'll love it.Never released on CD, the file is a pristine vinyl rip by my canadian friend Scott. Thanx man!
Recommended.

01 - Hold On
02 - Stringin' A Line
03 - Chains
04 - Embers From The Fire
05 - When I Need Someone
06 - Borrowed Time
07 - I Am The One
08 - Goner
09 - Freefall In Stardust
10 - The Runner

Lead Vocals : Ian Thomas
Guitars : Ian Thomas, John Zaslow
Bass : Peter Cardinali, Steve Hogg
Keyboards : Hugh Syme, Ian Thomas
Drums : Jorn Andersen
Percussion : Dick Smith, Ian Thomas
Saxophone : John Johnson
Background vocals : Hugh Syme


IAN THOMAS - The Runner
.

SKAWALKER - ST (1992)

Grzegorz "Skawalker" Skawiński is considered the "polish Satriani".
He's career started in the famous pop band Kombi, which goes to a three and a half month USA tour in 1986.
Skawiński has the opportunity to see live guitar virtuosos such as Stevie Vai, Paul Gilbert and Vinnie Moore. That's when his head began to give birth to new ideas shaped to play this kind of style.

Debut "Skawinski" (1989), a mix of instrumentals with some fine AOR edged songs, gained positive feedback from America.
Featured in Guitar Player magazine, and gathered favorable reviews from industry professionals like Mike Varney, encouraged the musicians to the way forward in this direction.

A year later, with his long time friend Waldemarem Tkaczykiem, set up a band: "SKAWALKER", named in tribute to the Star Wars hero and of course, his last name.
The group start writing new material and rehearsing four times a week in a basement shop for over a year.
Then, they began the recording sessions for this album, produced with the help of many colleagues.

Grzegorz is a great player, has a powerful tone and clear sound, playing fluid intense solos not to be missed.
All the songs featured here are really good, emotional midtempos and meaty melodic hardrockers.
Eight of the 10 tracks are sung in english, one polish, and the last one is a beautiful instrumental.
Production job is first rate, crisp and tight, giving each performance it's chance to be heard and appreciated clearly.

Very hard to find CD, ripped @ 320Kbps including artwork.
Highly Recommended.

01 - Call Me Skywalker
02 - Track Me Down
03 - She Sounds Nice
04 - That's It
05 - Ahead
06 - Give It To Me
07 - Don't Wanna Be Alone
08 - Island Of Grief
09 - No Way Is Straight Enough
10 - Where The Peaceful Waters Flow

Grzegorz "Skawalker" Skawiński : Lead Vocals, Lead Guitars
Waldemarem Tkaczykiem : Bass
Zbigniewem Kraszewskim : Drums
Piotrem Łukaszewskim : Rhythm Guitar
Sławomir Łosowski : Keyboards

sample:



SKAWALKER 1992
.
.

PEO - The Man Behind The Face (2000)

Peo Pettersson is a renowned swedish producer, where he has worked with dozens bands behind the knobs.
Multi-instrumentalist, ex member of AXIA (one single is included in my "MOST WANTED SCANDI - AOR SINGLES EVER Vol 1").
In 1995 debuts as solo artist with the lovely scandi AOR album 'Look What I've Started'.

With the help of many scandinavian session friends, in the winter of 1997 starts the recording of the 2nd album 'The Man Behind The Face' at his own studio.
After 2 years overdubbing, mixing, mastering, the disc is ready.
But none label was interested, and he decided to put it out as a CDr, self released in limited copies.

Peo's style has matured, stepping away from the classic scandi sound, into a first class classic rock with a dash of blues a la Gary Moore less edged.
Perfectly recorded, performed, produced, and very well played, this is a solid album, to enjoy with a glass of wine in hand.

Rarity, long sought after by collectors, very hard to find.


1 - Hot Town R 'n R
2 - Baby This Is Paradise
3 - Woman
4 - Dreams Of You
5 - Running Jumping
6 - Lovers And Strangers
7 - Hard Living Man
8 - Love Has Come
9 - Slow Down
10 - There With You
11 - Outta This Place
12 - Touch You Inside

Personnel:
unlisted


DOWNLOAD

GIBRALTAR - I'm The One (1986)

Obscure band, North Carolina based.
Too bad they only put on the streets this one and only recording, 'cos it's awesome.
Sophisticated Melodic Hard Rock, plenty of keys and furious guitars.
Roy Cathey's vocals fits perfectly this style.
All the songs are very well crafted, polished but aggressive  and production job is great for a private release.

Highly Recommended if you like class bands like LE MANS, SHOGUN, JAG WIRE and why not; ICON.
Great Stuff !!!


1. I'm the one
2. She wrote the book
3. You better know
4. Not the first
5. Nights on fire
6. Real
7. Full speed
8. Let go
9. P.S.

Roy Cathey - Lead vocals
Frank Fournier - Bass
Eric page - Guitars, vocals
Jerry Everly - Drums
David Garcia - Keyboards


GIBRALTAR - I'm The One
.

AOR TREASURES - The Japan Bonus

The japanese market always has been lucky to get extra songs in local album editions.
An injustice to the rest of the planet, since many times these are really good bonus tracks, but we can't afford the expensive import prices.

I have compiled some of these pearls, some recent, some very hard to find.
ERIC RUSSELL has released his 'Personal' album in Japan only, 1993.
The CD was reissued in Europe two years after, under his real name; OLIVIER CONSTANTIN, but this great song (he's best in my opinion) was replaced by other. That's why it's present here: Japan only.

Various bitrates, all above 192 Kbps, mostly @ 320.
Artwork included.


01 - Seventh Key - Storm Rages On
(The Raging Fire bonus) 2004

02 - FM - Hurt Is Where The Heart Is
(Tough It Out bonus) 1989

03 - Steelhouse Lane - If Love Should Go
(Slaves Of The New World bonus) 1999

04 - Heart - Cruel Tears
(Brigade bonus) 1990

05 - James Labrie - Understand
(Elements Of Persuasion bonus) 2005

06 - Jimi Jamison - Streets Of Heaven
(Crossroads Moment bonus) 2009

07 - House Of Lords - Gone
(World Upside Down bonus) 2006

08 - Sunstorm - Standing The Fire
(House Of Dreams bonus) 2009

09 - Eric Russell - Someday Somehow
(Personal - Japan release only) 1993

10 - Metropolis - Love And Desire
(The Power Of The Night bonus) 2000

11 - Ransom - I Can't Stay Away
(Trouble In Paradise bonus) 1998

12 - Casanova - Shine
(All Beauty Must Die bonus) 2004

13 - H.E.A.T - Stay
(H.e.a.t bonus) 2008

14 - Bad Habit - Anytime You Want It
(Adult Orientation bonus) 1998

15 - Outland - Lost In Your Love
(Different Worlds bonus) 2003

16 - Gotthard - Speed Of Light
(Need To Believe bonus) 2009

17 - Last Autumn's Dream - Match Made In Heaven
(Hunting Shadows bonus) 2007

18 - Mastedon - Shine On
(Lofcaudio bonus) 1990



The Japan Bonus Vol.1
.

REQUEST & FILL CORNER pt.1 (ARCHIVES)

From now, all request & fills goes in this post Comments.
If you need an album or a single track, request it here, if you have it, be kind with other readers, upload the file and post the link here as well.
Access to this page will be placed at the right column →
(or clicking here in Comments)-
It will be opened in a new window.

Check this section regulary.
You'll find many links not present in the main blog...

Help each other people!

AOR TREASURES - The Soundtracks Vol.11

A new volume.
I am thinking seriously to reach the dozen and stop.
Depends on popular demand...
If you like it: Express Yourself, if you don't: Express Yourself.
Your comments, thoughts, suggestions are welcome...

01 - Damn Yankees
Bonestripper [Nothing But Trouble] 1991
I love Damn Yankees, easily in my top 25 favorite bands of all time.
This song is one of many recorded for the 3rd album that still remains unreleased.
Registered DY trademark sound, great rocker.
Soundtrack Exclusive.

02 - Joseph Williams
Kids From Queens [Tony N' Tina's Wedding] 2007
A Broadway musical, filmed in 2004 but only released in USA 3 years after.
The movie soundtrack was commissioned to the super talented Joey Carbone, always providing interesting compositions.
This song has great pulse, very well performed by the ex-TOTO Joseph Williams.

03 - Rick Bowles
Baby Lied [Neon Maniacs] 1986
Soundtrack never released.
Bowles' track embraces all the classic AOR elements we love, a great feeling.
I love this song.

04 - Sue Saad
She's A Fire [Radioactive Dreams] 1985
Very rare OST only released in Germany on vinyl.
Contains 3 tracks by Sue Saad and this is the fameless of all, mid 80's AOR filled with bombastic drums.

05 - Alan Thicke
Thicke Of The Night [Thicke Of The Night] 1984
'Thicke Of the Night' was a midnight canadian TV talk show, hosted by Alan Thicke, who is also a musician, and recorded the show main title song.
Penned by the brilliant duo David Foster / Jay Graydon, this track is a wonderful example of pure AOR in the best strain.
Only released on vinyl single. Super!

06 - Eddie Ray Wolfe
Fight Fire With Fire [American Ninja 4] 1990
Another OST never released.
Tremendous climatic AOR tune with all the 'action song' mystique.
Ripped by me from VHS, stereo.
Rarity.

07 - 3 Speed
Back On The Street [Voyage Of The Rock Aliens] 1987
This band has a particular story, you can read it in the AOR TREASURES VOL. 4 post.
Last song known from them, just for this soundtrack.
Hard to find disc.

08 - Nancy Wilson
All For Love [Say Anything] 1989
Beautiful melody composed by the less famous of the Wilson sisters (HEART), but actually she has always been the band's musical brain.
Very well played by Nancy, both vocal and guitar.

09 - David Hallyday
Different Destinations [Baywatch TV] 1992
Baywatch TV series has given rise to many AOR artists between different seasons.
This is one which did not appeared in any official OST.
Aired in episode 20; "The Big Spill", 2nd season, 1992.

10 - Romeo's Daughter
Heaven In The Backseat (movie mix) [A Nightmare On Elm Street 5] 1989
Romeo's Daughter should be much bigger, they had a lot quality and taste.
This is the 'movie mix' for the film that runs 3:55. Not the same appeared in the 1st disc of the band.
Produced by John 'Mutt' Lange, a bit Def Leppard sounding with female vocals, isn't it?

11 - Lita Ford
Black Leather Heart [Edgeplay] 2004
Edgeplay is a movie about The Runaways' history and career, which Lita was a founder member.
After years without going to a studio, she has recorded this song especially for this movie.

12 - Rocky Burnette
Perfect Crime [Speed Zone] 1989
Film also known as "Cannonball Run II".
This one is a 60's type rock'n'roll with 80's AOR production, featuring a strong synth bass.
The promotional video clip for the movie playing this track is fantastic, featuring a beautiful Lamborghini Countach.
Couldn't be more eighties...

13 - Big Island
Fighting For You [Sons Of Steel] 1989
Australian Movie OST which was recorded by members of Rose Tattoo and Black Alice, both bands from the land of oz.
Tracks mainly in hard rock style, this is the most AOR with a chorus that sticks to your ears.
Just released in Australia.

14 - Bezerk
Stockholmsnatt [Stockholmsnatt] 1987
Another oddity is this swedish production, featuring local bands, vinyl edition, released only in Scandinavia by Grammofon AB label.
The group Bezerk provides several tracks here, I've chosen the 'main title', a singular song.

15 - LA Rocks (J.S.Soto)
Heart Of The Fire [Rich Girl] 1985
Never released soundtrack, in any format.
A pity, since enlists excellent tunes by the band LA Rocks, at that time with Jeff Scott Soto as lead vocalist.
This is my fav track from the movie, a tape rip.

16 - Tuesday Night
Nightmare [A Nightmare On Elm Street 4] 1988
Song featured in the film, but never ended in the official soundtrack tracklist.
Totally 80's, you may even hear Freddy Krueger's razor blade fingers...
Ripped from VHS, stereo.

17 - Clue In The Crew
The Sound Of Fear [Zombi 3] 1988
Italian movie directed by the horror B-movie master, Lucio Fulci.
Very rare OST only released in Europe, alternating score tunes with some songs performed by the 'virtual band' Clue In The Crew, a local session musicians venture.
Weird mixing and curious stereo panning.
Rarity.

18 - Dr. Starr
Passion Fix [Beach Balls] 1988
Another very hard to find soundtrack, only released on vinyl.
It comprises hard 'n heavy bands, mostly unknown, being Dr. Starr the best in my opinion.
This group retains raving fans even today, constantly writing comments into their myspace.
Nice track.

19 - Max Carl & Marcy Levy
Come And Follow Me [Short Circuit] 1986
Carl (former 38 Special) composed several songs for feature films, many of them performed by himself.
On this occasion a duet with Marcy Levy (later known as Marcella Detroit), end credits song from Short Circuit.
A typical lovely sweetened movie melody.

20 - David Foster
Stealing Home [Stealing Home] 1989
Perhaps the best instrumental composed (and performed) by Foster for a film, anthemic and vigorous.
I really like very much the guitar-sax duel in this song.



+ 70 min, artwork.
Note: most of tracks are vinyl-only release and very rare, all were cleaned, decrackled and declicked to get the best quality possible.


AOR TREASURES - The Soundtracks Vol.11
.